Razor blade sharpener



Oct. 3l, 1939. A. F. BELL RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed Feb. 1 24, 19:67

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. F. BELL RAZOR BLADE SHARP ENER Oct. 31, 1939.

Filed Feb. 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 h .um @NN NNN S m u .YS DE Oct. 3l, 1939. A. F. BELL 2,177.922

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed Feb. 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheenl 3 34 50 BELL 30 /enf *na/? Oct. 31, 1939,. l A F, BELL 2,177,922

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed Feb. 24, 1957 5 Sheets-Shet 4 Oct. 31, 1939. Al F. BELL. 2,177,922

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed Feb. 24, 1957 A5 sheets-sheet 5 n #70M 42, 34 30 46 q] 1750 47 7640 IG'. 2.9/77 :1?10 185 190 ANDREW' FT BELL m9 www lil Patented Oct. 31, 1939 Razon. BLAi PATENT OFFICE SHARPENER I Andrew F. Bell, Troy, N. Y., assigner to Behr- Manning Corporation, Troy, N. Y., a corpora.-

tion oi' Massachusetts Application February 24, 1937, Serial No. 127,477

7 Claims.

The invention relates to sharpeners for razor blades and similar articles.

One object of the invention is to provide a razor blade Sharpener whereby used razor blades, particularly of the double edged wafer type, may be resharpened. The double edged wafer blades referred to are those well known to the public as blades manufactured by The Gillette Safety Razor Company and other blades of similar characteristics. Another object of the invention is to provide a razor sharpener which may be used to resharpen single edged flat safety razor blades. Another object of the invention is toprovide a blade sharpener of `universal char"acteristics` whereby many different types of blades may be sharpened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a razor blade sharpener including a honing wheel. Another object of the invention is to synchronize 20 the, rotation of a honing or abrasive wheel with rectilinear movement of a blade across it in order to duplicate results inthe sharpening of blades irrespective of variations in the actuation of the device by the user. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified such that manual operation will result in a grinding or honing speed of the wheel of fairly constant amount in the hands of diierent users. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character specified with two honing wheels and means for placing either one of the honing wheels in operative position by relatively simple adjustment or change of parts. Another object of the invention is to provide a razor blade Sharpener with bothy a honing and a strop# ping wheel, both interchangeably available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated with adequate safeguards to prevent injury to the user. Another object of the invention is to provide a device` of the character indicated of great efllciency y in practical operation and capable of producing a very sharp and highly effective cutting edge for razor blades and the like. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown several of the many possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a blade Sharpener constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is asectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the driving gearing for the wheels;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device with the cover of the box removed;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the inner wheel and control therefor;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the control knob for the inner wheel;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing the Iparts in that position in which the central wheel is depressed;

Figure Sis a vertical axial sectional view of the wheels and their mounting such as is shown in Figure 1 but showing the parts in that position in which the central wheel'is depressed;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken on the line lll- I0 of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the blade holder;

Figures 12 and 13 are fragmentary sectional views taken on the lines I2-I2 and |3-I3, respectively, of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a modification of the `invention in which a single annulus device comprising two wheels of the same diameter are employed, the change from one to the otherbeing made by picking olf the wheels and turning them over;

Figure 15 is an axial sectional View of the modication of Figure 14, taken on the line I5-l5 of Figure 14; l

Figure 16 is a plan view of a blade holder for a Gem type of razor blade;

Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional view through the holder of Figure 16;

Figures 18 and 19 are transverse sectional views taken along the lines I8-i8 and |9-l9, respectively,` of Figure 16;

` Figures`20, 21 and 22 are fragmentary vertical sectional views in three different planes of the escapement pawls for the blade holder, taken respectively on the sections 2li-20, 2I-2l and 22--22 of Figure 4;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary plan view of one end of the box, with the cover of the box and the cover guard removed, illustrating a modified form of escapement pawls and actuating device for the blade holder; l

' Figure 24 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken showing the parts the same scale as Figure 24. the section beingtaken on the line 25-25 of Figure 23;

Figure 26 is an end elevation of the modified form of escapement pawls and associated actuating mechanism, the view being taken from the line 26-26 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon in Figure 24;

Figure 27 is a sectional view on a further enlarged scale, the section being taken along'the line 21-21 of Figure 23;

Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 23, showing the further modification of the escapement pawls and actuating mechanism;

Figure 29 is a sectional view, taken along th line 29--29 of Figure 28;

Figure 30 is a. sectional view, taken along the line 30-30 of Figure 28; and

Figure 31 is an end elevation of one of the escapement pawls and vactuating mechanism of Figure 28.

Referring first to Figures l, 2 and 4, I provide a box 30 of parallelopipedal shape, for example of integral structure made by die casting suitable metal or of molded resinoid. Referring now to Figure 1, a rivet 3| is located near but not exactly in the center of the box, which rivet pivotally mounts a pair of gears 32 and 33 that are fastened to each other. .Referring now to Figure 3 in connection with Figure 1, the small gear 33 is actuated by a rack 34 while the large gear 32 meshes with a small gear 35 which is mounted on a stud 36 extending upwardly from the bottom of the box and fastened thereto by means of a nut 31.

Referring now to Figure 2, the box 30 has a pair of benches 40, one along each long side thereof. A sheet metal false bottom 4| is fastened to the bottom of the benches 40 by means of four screws 42, the heads of which fit in recesses 43. The false bottom 4| has an integral portion 45 extending vertically upward and in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the false bottom 4|.

Referring now to the right-hand side of Figure 1, I provide a carriage 46 made of sheet metal. 'I'his carriage, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is U shaped in cross section, comprising a bottom portion 41 which is under the false bottom 4| and two side portions 48 located alongside the sides of the box 30. 'Ihe false bottom 4| does not extend, along its entire length, to the sides of the box 30 but rather terminates short thereof, leaving just enough room .for the upwardly extending sides 48 of the carriage 46. The rack 34 is integrally attached as by pins 49, Fig. 2, to the bottom 41 of the carriage 46 so that it is moved longitudinally of the box whenever the carriage is moved. Comparing Figure 1 with Figure 4, it will be seen that there is a cut-out 50 in the bottom 41 of the carriage 46 so that the carriage may be moved substantially the entire length of the box in spite of the upwardly extending stud 36.

Referring to Figure 4, connecting the upwardly extending portions 48 of the carriage 46 is an inverted channel member 5| which, as better shown in Figure 1, supports the front-end 0f a blade holder 52. The blade holder 52 is a flat piece of sheet metal having a portion 53 extending into the channel 5| located between two flat springs 54 which are mounted in the channel 5| having portions 55 which extend into slots in the sides of the channel 5|. Thus the blade holder 52 is pivotally mounted and is reslliently held in a horizontal position but can be readily turned over. The other end 56 of the blade holder 52 is plvotally mounted in an L shaped cross piece 51 extending between the'sides 48 of the carriage 46.

I provide a slidable cover guard and actuator 60 which may be shaped as shown in the several views. This may be made of molded resinoid or it may be made of sheet metal or of anyoth'ersubstance, as desired. It has trunnions 6| extending into slots 62 formed on upward extensions 63 of the sides 48. Thereby, when the cover'65 of the box is removed, the slidable cover guard and actuator 60 may be swung upwardly. At that time a blade may be put in position on the blade holder Referring now to Figures 1 and 11, a hook 66 is articulated to the blade holder 52 by rivet 61 and by means of this hook a clamping member 68' is pivotally connected to the blade holder to allow of vertical as well as lateral motion. Referring to Figure 11, the holder 52 has a turned-over tab 10 and the clamping member has a tab 1| whereby the holder 52 and clamping member 68 may be interlocked together by relativelateral movement. Still referring to Figure 11, four tabs 12 extend from the blade holder 52 in such positions as to hold the re-entrant angle shoulders of a Gillette type of razor blade 15. 'Ihus the clamping member 68 may be swung sldewise and then upwardly to allow a blade 15 to be placed in position, as -shown in Figure 11, and then it may be laterally moved into locking position so that the blade is held from movement upwardly by the clamping member 68 and the blade is held from movement in the plane thereof by the tabs 12. At the same time the blade holder including the holder 52 and the clamping member 68, while reslliently held by the springs 54 in the horizontal position shown in the drawings, may be turned over and, furthermore, may be tilted. Compare Figures 10 and 11.

It has been noted that the cover guard 60 is connected to the carriage 46 by a trunnion and slot connection. This permits not only angular movement of the cover guard 60 but also relative rectilinear movement between it and the carriage 46. In the actuation of the razor Sharpener, the user holds the entire box 30 in one hand and, having removed the cover 65, holds the cover guard and actuator 60 with the fingers of the other hand. 'I'he user then pushes the cover guard actuator 60 back and forth. The first result of this action is to move the cover guard 60 relative to the carriage 46. This is relied on, as will hereinafter be explained, to incline the blade holder 52 to the horizontal in order to present the blade 15 against the honing wheel. As the parts are moved in one direction, the blade holder 52 is inclined in a given direction, and upon reversal the blade holder is inclined in the opposite direction. For the relative rectilinear motion between the cover guard 60 and carriage 46, I provide ways for the cover guard comprising, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, sheet metal members 16 riveted by rivets 11 to the sides 48 and having, as best shown in Figure 2, inward extensions 19 forming a horizontal support for the cover guard 60 and upwardly extending, slightly off-set portions forming the vertical surfaces between which the cover guard 60 may slide. See also Figures 4, 9 and 17.

Referring now to Figures 20, 2l and 22, in one corner of the cover guard 60 I mount a vertically extending rotatable knob 8|. 'I'his knob 8| has eccentric portion a2 on the bottom thereof. The 75 eccentric portion 82 fits in a slot in a `slide 83. To the bottom and top respectively of the slide 88 are fastened escapement pawls 84 -and 85 shaped as shown in these views and alsov as shown in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 11,-.extending laterally from the blade holder 52 are arms 86. Referring now toFigure 9, the shape of the escapement pawls 84 and 85, as viewed from the side of the apparatus,'is clearly disclosed. Between them is one of the arms 88. The cover guard is-shown in its central position of nonactuation. If it is moved forwardly relative to the carriage 46,A itWill depress the arm 86. This' spring character of the escapement pawls 84 and 85. Referring again to Figures 20, 21 and 22, the

slide 83 is supported by a bottom plate 81, and the slide 83 can be adjusted by turning the knob 8| to place the escapement pawls 84 and 85 nearer to or farther away from the axis of the blade holder 52, as desired; Thus the pressure on the blade may be adjusted.

The device also includes apparatus to revolve` the blade once for each complete reciprocation of the carriage 46 and cover guard 60. Considering now Figures 1` and 2, extending inwardly from the vertical sheet metal portion 45 and rigidly attached thereto is a cam actuator 90. This cam actuator 90 is arcuate in shape in end view, being part of a hollow cylinder, and its front actuating edge is a helix. The actuating cam 90 extends through the L shaped cross piece 51 through an arcuate slot 9| therein when the carriage 46 is in the position shown in the drawings. It will be remembered that when the cover guard 60 is urged to the right in Figure 1, the right-hand side (Figure 2) of the razor blade is depressed. The top portion of the cam 90, therefore, catches the right-hand arm 86. At the same time it should be noted that there is nothing` to prevent upward movement of the left-hand arm 86 since the lower escapement pawl 84 is urging it upwardly and there is a gap between the es'- capement pawls. While the blade was in contact with the rotating honing wheel, the wheel prevented further rotation of the blade holder, but the blade has already left the honing wheel when the cam 90 engages one of the arms 86. Owing to the shape of the actuating cam 90, the entire holder 52 and associated parts is given nearly one-half a revolution, and the movement is completed by the springs 54 which tend to hold the blade holder 52 in flat position. The shape of the escapement pawls 84 and 85 is such that an arm 86 can enter between them from the bottom. Therefore, considering Figure 2, the left-hand side of the razor blade is depressed during forward movement of the cover guard 60 and carriage 46, that is to the left in Figure 1, but resiliently depressed, then the right-hand side of the razor blade 15 is depressed during retrograde movement of cover guard 60 and carriage 46, that is to the right in Figure l, and as the parts reach the end of this stroke the holder 52 is given a one-half revolution. In this mannerall four edges of a double edged razor blade are honed by the rotating wheel to be described'and by the rectilinear motion` described Aare traversed over the wheel. Although, as stated,

the escapement pawls 84 and 85, nevertheless at the end oi' theturning-over movement of the blade holder I2, the arm 86 that is on the lefthand side as viewed in Figure 2 strikes the bots tom of the escapement pawl 84 and only enters between theescapenient pawls on the next forward movement of the cover guard 60, which movement moves both pawls 84, forwardly with respect to the arm 86, immediately holding this same arm downwardly during the next forward stroke. Therefore, it will be seen that the escapement pawl 84 acts to prevent continuous rotary movement of the blade holder 52 even if the springs 54 are weak', or if the user actuates the device so yviolently as to tend to cause the razor holder to whirl.

The razor blade being sharpened ls thus re ciprocated back and forth in the box 80 whenever the user grasping the coverguard 60 reclprocates it. It is intended that the user shall push the cover guard back and forth, each lstroke stopping with the impact of the carriage 46 .the upwardly moving arm 88 may enter between against raised portions, of the benches 40 atv each end of the box 30. During what I have termed forward motion, which is from left to right in Figure l, the left-hand side as viewed in Figure 2 of the blade is urged downwardly.

V During retrograde motion the right-hand side ure 1, and also to Figure 8, the small gear 35- has a vertical bore so that it may be pivotally mounted on the stud 36. Referring now also to Figure 4', I provide a wheel |00 with'a plurality of integral spokes |0|, for` example three in number. The wheel |00 with its spokes |0| may be a steel stamping; as shown, it is cut in the center portion complementary to the gear 35 and interlocks with it. Fastened to the wheel |00 as by means of pins |02 is a fiber wheel |03,

being `Z shaped in cross section as clearly shown f and. being in this illustrative embodiment of the invention of uniform cross section through its entire 360 of arc. So far as certain features of the invention are concerned, I provide a honing wheel |04 an a'stropping wheel |03. The distinction is thi The honing wheel |04 is an abrasive Wheel which may consist of granular abrasive material bonded with a suitable bond. For example, I prefer to make the honingv wheel of finely divided aluminum oxide abrasive grain, that is to say of the order of 400 grit size or finer, bonded together with a shellac bond into a dense and relatively non-porous structure.`

, This, as compared with most grinding wheels,

honing wheel actually cuts or abrades although its action is flner and more delicate than a grinding wheel. Nevertheless, the difference may be said to be largely one of degree. On the other hand, a -strop acts to align the frayed cutting edge of the razor without removing any metal, and also smoothens, polishes and conditions the cutting edge of the razor for shaving. These distinctions are known in the razor sharpening art and so far as the mechanical features of the invention are concerned, I may use any two wheels desired, for example I might have two honing wheels or a grinding wheel and a honing wheel. In actual practice, however, excellent results are achieved using a honing wheel and a stropping wheel. Sometimes a blade is best sharpened merely with the strapping wheel, sometimes merely with the honing wheel, and sometimes best results will be achieved by using the wheels successively. generally using the honing wheel ilrst.

The wheel |04 is mounted concentric with the wheel |03 and, as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 8, it comprises the wheel itself |04 which is an annulus of abrasive material of cross sectional form as shown, secured to a wheel |05 by any suitable cement or in any other suitable manner. The annular portion of the wheel |05 is L shaped in cross section, as shown, to provide a good support for the wheel |04, and the wheel |05 includes three integral spokes |06 and a central ring or hub |01. This wheel |05 with spokes |06 and center |01 is desirably a sheet metal part, being all in a single plane, excepting for the upturned flanged portion of the rim.

Still referring to Figures l, 4 and 8, the gear 35 is integrally formed with a sleeve ||0. For the interlocking of the gear 35 and sleeve ||0 to the hub of the spokes |0|, I swage over, as at a portion of the gear teeth of the gear 35. The sleeve ||0 mounts the hub |01 of the wheel |05. By upsetting operations I force upwardly three portions of the spokes |0| of the wheel |00. These portions l5 stand perpendicular to the plane of the wheel |00. Extending across the slots I6 left by forcing upwardly the portions I5 are washers ||1. On top of the washers ||1 are springs H8. In the spokes |06 of the wheel |05 are holes |20 receiving the portions H5. Thus the wheel |05 is locked angularly to the wheel |00 but relative axial movement is nevertheless possible although the springs ||8 urge the wheels |00 and |05 apart. I provide a locking adjustment device to position the internal honing wheel at a level just above the level of the strapping wheel |03, as shown in Figure 1, or to position the honing wheel |04 just below the level of the stropping wheel |03, as shown in Figure 8. This device includes an adjustment cam knob |2| which is shown in Figures 1, 4 and 8. The adjustment cam knob |2| consists of a cup-shaped annulus with a knurled outer periphery just fitting over and rotatably mounted upon the outside of the sleeve ||0 and having three depending cams |22. Referring now to Figures 4, 5, 6 and '1, the depending cams |22 rest against the hub |01 of the upper wheel |05 and fit in three wide slots |24 or three narrow slots |25. The three slots |24 are located 120 apart and so also are the slots |25. Adjacent slots |24 and |25 are located 60 from each other. The cams |22 are located 120 apart. Consequently rotation of the knob |2| will place all of the cams |22 in the several slots |24 and then all of these cams in all of the slots |25. A sixty degree turning of the knob |2| will change the cams from all of the wide slots |24 to all of the narrow slots |25 and any further sixty degree angular movement will change the cams to all of the wide slots |24. In this particular embodiment of the invention, it is immaterial which particular cam |22 is in which particular wide slot or narrow slot, respectively. Whenever the cams are in the wide slots |24, the springs IIB force the upper wheel |05 upwardly to the position shown in Figure l and whenever the cams |22 are in the narrow slots |25, the wheel |05 is held in a more depressed condition, as shown in Figure 8. Consequently, by means of the control knob |2|, the honing wheel |04 may be held just below the level of the top of the stropping wheel |03 or it may be allowed to project just above it. By this simple control, the device can be rapidly shifted from a strapping to a honing device or vice versa.

Still referring to Figures 1 and 8, the control knob |2| is held upon the sleeve ||0 by means of a nut |21 which fits on the threaded part of the sleeve I0, as shown, and may be tightened against a shoulder |28. By removing this nut |21, the wheels and associated parts can be quickly disassembled.

The operation of the device has been largely described in connection with the description of the several parts and mechanisms. However, it is noted that the slidable cover guard and actuator 60 is somewhat dome shaped so as to provide room for turning of the razor blade inside of it and it has a couple of inclined sides |30 to the dome portion |3| which may be ribbed, if de# sired, to provide a firm grip for the ngers. The cover guard and actuator 60 is also a safety device as, when it is in a closed or down position, as shown in all the drawings, the user cannot accidentally touch the razor blade. As a further safety precaution, the cover guard 60 has an arcuate portion |32 which, when the cover guard is raised, locks the blade holder against rotary movement.

In using the device, the user first removes the cover 65 which is provided to keep dirt out of the parts when not in use and to protect them generally. He then slides the clamping member 68 on the rivet 61 away from the' blade holder 52 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 11. It may be necessary to reciprocate the carriage 46 once in order to place the clamping member 68 on top, which action will be effected by the cam 90. For the convenience of the user, the clamping member 68 may have the word Top stamped thereon or any other convenient designation. A Gillette type of razor blade is then placed between the lugs 12 and the clamping member 68 is swung back into position, sliding the tabs 10 and 1| into frictional engagement with the parts 52 and 68.

This placing of a razor blade on the holder 52 under the clamping member 68 may be done in any position of the carriage 46, and the cover guard 60 may be lifted in any position of the carriage 46 to provide access to the holder and clamping member. The cover guard 60 is now swung downwardly and it is reciprocated. The rack 34 which is attached to the carriage 46 rotates the gear 33 which is connected to the gear 32, and the gear 32 rotates the gear 35. Thus the wheels |03 and |04 are rotated whenever the carriage 46 is moved and at a relatively high speed by reason of the fact that the drive is a geared up drive. Furthermore, as the rack 34 is always in engagement with the small gear 33, and the other gears are always in engagement, the ratio of reciprocatory motion to angular motion is constant. The wheels |03 and |04 act as fly wheels but, when the carriage 46 strikes the benches, the entire momentum is killed and there is a slight rebound due to the resiliency of the gearing and 76 connections. Owing to the ineitia of the wheels and the geared up connection, it is diiilcult to achieve very high angular velocity of the wheels, and neverthelessit is fairly easy to move them. As the result of these considerations, different users will rotate the wheels at no greatly varying velocities, which is a condition to be desired in a razor Sharpener. With the parte made as shown in the drawings, the wheels are rotated substantially five and one-third revolutions during each stroke. y

As the razor blade I5 advances over the wheel |03 or |04, as the case may be, it is resiliently urged against it by the escapement pawl 85. During the retrograde movement, the other side of the blade is resiliently urged against whichever wheel is in operative position by the escapement pawl 84. When the parts approach the righthand position of Figure 1, the cam 90 rotates the blade and holder. `The amount of rotation which the cam imparts to the blade and holder is ex actly equal to the arcuate displacement of this truncated cylindrical cam. It will be seen that there issome additional distance for the blade and holder to travel but this is taken care of by the springs 54 and also by inertia as the blade is practically spun around. However, the blade cannot spin beyond the desired position on account of the escapement action of the pawls which will not allow continued rotation of the blade holder without relative reciprocatory motion of the actuator 60 and carriage 46. Thus the pawls act as true escapement devices and also act as resilient pressing devices. Pressure may be adjusted by turning the knob 8|.

The holder of Figure 11 may readily beremoved as follows: Keeping the clamping member 8B in the plane of the holding member 52, move the clamping member 68 until it is at right angles to the holding member. This moves the arcuate portion of hook member 66 shown in Figure 11, which is in contact with the flange of the journal member, away from the journal member, thus permitting the entire assembly of holder and clamping member to be moved away from and out of the supporting cross piece 51. When this has been done, the holder and clamping member can be readily lifted out. Referring now to Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19, I have therein shown a substitute holder and clamping member for a Gemtype of razor. This substitute holder and clamping member may be readily substituted for the Gillette type already described4 without any other change in the apparatus. It diiers from the holder and clamping member already described merely in the interlocking means that interlocks with the razor blade. As shown in these figures, the holding member 52a has arms 86a which cooperate with the escapement pawls 84 and 85 exactly as described, and it also has a tab 10a for interlocking with its clamping member 88a. Instead of the locking tabs 12, the holder 52a has a long slot |40 in which the back of the Gem type of blade may fit, and in this slot is an offset supporting portion |4I. The clamping member 68a has a corresponding oiset portion |42 and the back of the Gem type of blade is held between these portions while the blade rests between the body portion of the holder 52a and clamping Amember 68a. The clamping member ,68a is connected to the holder 52a by means of a hook 86a which is articulated on a. rivet 61a. The device is adapted to hone and strop bothsides of the Gem razor, as will be readily apparent without further description,

particular razor blade.

and a holder for any other variety of razor blade may be substituted for those shown.

Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, I may provide the structure therein shown, in which a single annulus has an abrasive ring which is a honing device on one side, and a iiber ring which ls a stropping device on the other side, and this annulus may readily be picked off and turned over. Thus in this embodiment of the invention a pick-off type of wheel is used and a great number of substitute wheels may be provided for obtaining different nishes, depending upon many factors such as the type of steel of the As shown in these gures, I provide a gear 35a which meshes with the driving gear 32 and this gear is integral with an upwardly extending sleeve I |a which is threaded at the top to receive a nut |2141. Interlocking with the gear 35a is a three-armed spider |0|a which has three upward projections |a formed by upsetting operations, leaving slots ||6a extending to the outer ends of the arms of the spider and thus forming forked ends thereof which support an assembly comprising annuli |0311 and |0411, and an interposed metal ring |50 having inwardly extending tabs |5| with slots therein, to which ring |50 are-joined the two annuli |03a and' |04a by a cementing operation or inv any other suitable manner. The annulus |03a is the stropping annulus and may be made of fiber, while the annulus |0401, is the abrasive annnlus for honing. In plan view, the ring |50 is exactly the same size as each of the annuli |03a and |04a. The upwardly extending projections Hitt t in the slots in the tabs |5|.

I further provide a locking device consisting of a three-armed spring steel spider |55 located under the mut" |2'lu and resting against a washer |50. The arms of this spider |55 rest on the tabs |5l, but by loosening the nut |2'la, a slight angular motion may be effected to move the arms off the tabs so that the annulus may be picked oi and either turned over or a different one substituted therefor.

Referring now to Figures 23 to 31 inclusive, I have therein illustrated two additional embodiments of the escapement pawls and actuating mechanism for resiliently holding the blades in inclined positions, whereby the edges thereof may be stropped and sharpened, and for stopping the blade holder after the half revolution, more or less, given to it by the cam actuator 90. In` the embodiment previously described, as will be remembered, the escapement pawls 84 and 85 are carried by the cover guard and actuator 80 which has a lost motion connection with the carriage 46. According to that embodiment, which of the escapement pawls 84 or 85 is pressingV against the interposed arm 06 of the blade holder depends upon the position of the cover guard and actuator 60 with respect to the carriage 46. In the further embodiments of this mechanismA shown in Figures 23 to 31 inclusive, there need'l be no lost motion connection between the cover guard and carriage, and the escapement pawls and associated mechanism are carried by the carriage itself, and the position of the pawls is determined by the direction in which the carriage is moving or has last moved in the box 30.

Describing first the embodiment of Figures 23 to 27 inclusive, and referring first to Figure 24, attached to one of the upwardly extending sides 48 of the carriage 48 and extending inwardly therefrom is, an L shaped sheet metal supporting member lOl-the shape of which is sumciently shown by comparing Figures 24, 25 and 26. This member |80 has a vertical part riveted to the side 48 and a horizontal part which supports a slide |10. 'I'he slide |10 may be made of sheet metal and has a pair of oppositely disposed bent-over tabs |1| and spaced therefrom another l pair oi oppositely disposed bent-over tabs |12, all of which tabs extend under the horizontal part of the member 60, as shown, in order slidably to mount the slide |10 on the member |60. 'Ihe slide |10 further has, as shown in Figures 23, 24 and 26. a pair of upstanding tabs |13, and a depending arm |14. The member |60 has an inwardly extending arm |15, and between the arms |14 and |15 extends a spring |16. The spring |18 draws the slide |10 to the right in Figure 24.

Referring now to Figures 24 and 25, riveted to the slide |10 and extending from the top thereof is a stud |11. Pivotally mounted on the stud |11 is a block |80 made of any suitable material, which block has located in slots on its lower and upper sides respectively escapement pawls |84 and |85. The escapement pawls |84 and |85 are similar to the escapement pawls 84 and 85 and coact with an interposed arm 86 of a blade holder to tilt it one way or the other. However, the escapement pawls |84 and |85 have offset portions |88 and |81 which, as best shown in Figure 27, engage a conical stud |88 which is in threaded engagement with the block |80, extending horizontally into the block as shown in Figure 27. By turning the stud |88, the pawls |84 and |85 may be forced apart more or less from the position shown in Figure 24. A nut |89 may be used to lock the stud |88 in adjusted position. The escapement pawls |84 and |85, like the pawls 84 and 85, are formed of spring steel and constitute resilient actuators for the arm 86 to tip the blade holder.

The stud |11 extends through the pawls |84 and |85, as shown in Figure 24, and the pawls |84 and |85 and the block |80 are held on the stud |11 by nuts |80. Aspacing washer |8| is desirably provided to hold pawl |84 against the block |80. Notwithstanding parts are secured together as described, they are angularly movable on the stud |11. Considering Figure 4, the righthand side of the block |80 contacts the upper edge of the inside of the box 80. As shown in Figure 23, the contacting edge of the block |80 is arcuately shaped, and it will be remembered that the spring |18 urges the block |80 towards the side of the box 30. Consequently, relative movement between the carriage 48 and the box 30 causes arcuate movement of the block |80 and escapement pawls |84 and |85 on the stud |11 until the block is stoped by one of the upstanding lugs |13. Owing to the fact that the pivot stud |11 is close to the side of the box and relatively remote from the actuating ends of the escapement pawls |84 and |85, very slight move- I otherwise operates according to the embodiment previously described, that is with respect to actuation by the cam actuator 80. Certain parts,

such as the cover guard actuator 80a, are of slightly dlil'erent shape in this embodiment of the invention to accommodate the mechanism described, and one of the ways for the cover guard comprising one of the sheet metal members 18 and associated parts is located in a slightly different position ln this embodiment of theinvention, as shown in the upper part of Figure 23 and also Figure 25. According to this embodiment of the invention, the cover guard 80a may or may not be connected to the carriage 48 by a pin and slot connection, and an ordinary pivotal mounting for the cover guard will sumce.

Considering the further embodiment of Figures 28 to 31 inclusive, I provide an L shaped supporting member |80a on each side of the carriage 4l riveted to the upwardly extending sides 40 and supporting slides |10a having tabs |1|a and |12a and each slide |10a having an upstanding tab |13a and a depending arm |14a connected by a spring |16a with an inwardly extending arm |a of the supporting member |80a. These parts mentioned have the same function as already described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 23 to 27 inclusive. Mounted upon the slides l10nl are blocks |80a by means of rivet studs |11a. Mounted on each block |80a is one of a pair of escapement pawls |84a and |85a, as clearly shown in Figures 28 and 30. 'I'he operation of this escapement pawl mechanism is the same as in the case of the embodiment previously described excepting that pawls |84a and |85a are located on opposite sides of the blade holder and each one is mounted on a pivotally mounted block mounted on a spring-pressed slide and, in this particular embodiment, no adjustment device such as the conical stud |88 is shown, but the escapement pawls |84a and |85a may be bent if it becomes desirable to adjust them. In the operation of a device'according to the modication of Figures 28 to 31 inclusive, each of the blocks 80a is moved whenever the direction of motion of the carriage 48 in the box 30 is changed, thus moving one of the two pawls |84a and |85a out of engagement with one pf the arms 88 and moving the other of said pawls into engagement with the other of said arms. Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention, the razor blade is inclined first one way during a forward stroke and then the other way during a retrograde stroke, and the cam actuator 80 operates in the manner previously described to turnthe blade holder a half revolution more or less so that the other side of the cutting edges of the blade may be operated upon. In all the embodiments of the invention, the escapement pawls operate not only to incline the blade holders first one way and then the other but also to stop the revolution of the blade holder after it is actuated by the cam actuator 90. In other words, they act eiectively to prevent spinning of the blade holder due to inertia thereof.

It will thus be seen that there has been providedby this invention an apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove pointed out together with many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. As many 'possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. In a razor Sharpener, an abrasive element, a carriage, a blade holder pivotally mounted on the carriage arranged to move a razor in contact with said abrasive element, means to tip the blade holder to cause a razor to contact said abrasive element at an angle when the carriage is moved, a cover guard for the blade holder pivotally mounted on the carriage, and means on the cover guard interlocking with the blade holder when the cover guard is in an open position to prevent angular movement of the blade holder.

2. In a razor Sharpener, an abrasive element,

a carriage, a blade holder mounted on the carriage whereby to move a blade past the abrasive element, and means to tilt the blade holder and give it a half turn whereby to move first one and then the other edge of a given side of the razor past the abrasive element and also to turn it over to present the other side of the blade to the abrasive element, said means comprising a pair of arms connected to the blade holder, a pair of resilient pawls adapted to contact the arms, a lost motion connection between the pawls and the arms, and a stationary cam having a cam surface formed in a hollow cylindrical element to turn the blade holder approximately one half a revolution by contact with one of the pair of arms.

3. In a razor sharpener, a carriage, a blade holder mounted on the carriage, a rst sharpening wheel having a plane annular radial sharpening surface, a second sharpening wheel having a plane annular radial sharpening surface mounted inside oi', coaxial, and concentric with said first sharpening wheel, and means to elevate and lower one of said wheels whereby to place one of the radial surfaces above the other selectively in order to present either of said surfaces to a blade held by the blade holder, the carriage being movable in a path perpendicular to the axis of both wheels to move the blade across one or the other of said wheels depending on which thereof :lsl elevated.

4. In a razor Sharpener, a rotatable sharpentuate a projection to incline the blade holder the carriage, connections between the pinion and the rack whereby the Wheel may be rotated when the carriage is moved, a blade holder holding a blade in inclined positions with a central median position of the blade in which it is parallel to the sharpening surfaces of the wheel, a pair of escapement pawls, means to move the pawls a limited distance inV opposite directions, a lug connected to the blade holder in position to be actuated by first one and then the other of said `pawls to incline the blade in one direction for a forward stroke and the other direction for a rearward stroke of the carriage, and a stationary cam in a position to engage the same lug, said cam having a surface of revolution the axis of which is parallel to movement of the carriage and said cam rotating said blade holder by action on said lug nearly one half a turnl the escapement pawls being so positioned that they do not interfere with such half revolution of the blade holder.

6. In a razor Sharpener, an abrasive element, a carriage, a blade holder mounted on the carriage, an actuator mounted in the carriage having a lost motion connection therewith, a Pair of arms extending laterally from the blade holder, a pair of escapement pawls connected to the actuator in position to engage the arms whereby the blade is tilted in one direction to contact the abrasive element when the actuator` is moved in av given direction and the blade is tilted in the opposite direction to contact the abrasive element when the actuator is moved in an opposite direction to the given direction, and stationary cam means to engage one of the arms to give the blade holder a one half revolution at one end of the movement of the carriage.

'7. In a razor Sharpener for a double edged razor blade, an abrasive element, a carriage, a`

, reciprocation of saidcariage, said means comprising cooperating spring and cam means resiliently to hold the blade holder in a given angular position, and a wedge cam shaped from a semi-cylindrical piece of metal mounted in the path of movement of the carriage and positioned to engagea lug at each reciprocation of the carriage, the cylindrical axis of the wedge cam being substantially the same as the axis ofpivotal mounting of the blade holder.

ANDREW I". ma. 

